2026-2027 Academic Catalog

Category: Policies and Procedures

Student Handbook

  • Freedom of Expression

    The mission of the College for Creative Studies asserts that we embrace excellence, ethical action, and social responsibility in all aspects in the practice of art, design, and scholarship. To adequately support this mission, CCS must preserve freedom of expression in all its forms. Freedom of expression is essential to basic human dignity. It ensures that members of the CCS community (students, faculty, staff and guests invited by the College) are at liberty to develop their creative abilities to the fullest extent.

    CCS supports the rights of its community members to research and create using all forms of expression. It supports the right to express one’s views publicly as well as privately at venues and in activities both on and off campus.

    The CCS community recognizes that creative expression by its very nature may be provocative. To encourage healthy debate, members of the CCS community and guests must demonstrate respect for the right of others to express views which they find disagreeable or offensive. Likewise members of the CCS community must be sensitive to the various audiences who may encounter their work.

    That being said, CCS also notes that this freedom is not absolute. In certain circumstances, the institution may restrict expression, for example, that violates the law, is harassing or defamatory, invades substantial privacy or confidentiality interests, or does not meet curatorial standards. Moreover, the institution may reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of expression to ensure that it does not disrupt the ordinary activities of the College.

  • Nondiscrimination

    Notice of Nondiscrimination

    The College for Creative Studies subscribes to the principle of equal opportunity in its employment, admissions, educational practices, scholarship and loan programs and other school-administered programs, and strives to provide an educational environment and workplace free from unlawful harassment or discrimination. Discrimination, including harassment, because of age, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, physical attributes, marital or familial status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law is strictly prohibited.  

    Questions, comments, and reports about harassment or discrimination based on any of these characteristics can be directed to one of the following administrators:

    Related federal and state laws:

  • Repetitions

    When a course is repeated, the higher grade will be used in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average. Any course, or its equivalent approved course, may be applied only once toward fulfillment of any and all degree requirements, including elective credit. Courses taken at other institutions are not subject to the repeat policy. Work from previous attempts at the course cannot be reused in future attempts without written approval from the faculty member teaching the repeated course. Federal regulations specify that a student may only receive financial aid for a repeated course once after a passing grade has been earned.

  • Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

    Application Form

    Enter general personal and educational information. There is no fee associated with the CCS Undergraduate application. If you choose to submit your portfolio on ccs.slideroom.com, Slideroom will require $10US.

    Portfolio

    Upload 8-12 pieces of your original visual artwork to ccs.slideroom.com or get a one-on-one review with a CCS representative. Five drawings from imagination or observation are required for the following majors: Entertainment Arts: Animation, Entertainment Arts: Concept Design, Entertainment Arts: Game, Illustration, Transpiration Design. Works from all visual mediums can be submitted.

    Applications for our Film major do not require a portfolio. Applicants with a 3.0 Cum GPA are admissible. Portfolios submitted will not be used for determining an admission decision or merit scholarship.

    High School or College Transcript(s)

    Email or request an electronic version of your current transcript (unofficial or official electronic version) to the CCS Admissions office.

    High school students who have attended more than one high school: Submit a transcript that details all four years of enrollment or a transcript from each school attended.

    Homeschooled applicants: Submit a detailed transcript that includes student’s full name, address, dates and detail of courses completed, grades earned and the signature of the person who oversaw the education plan and created the document. If any coursework was completed at a college or high school, a transcript from that institution must be submitted as well.

    Transfer applicants: Submit transcripts from all previously attended colleges if they want to transfer previously-earned credit.

    International Applicants: If you’ve completed coursework outside the United States and wish to transfer credits, we strongly recommend you obtain a professional course-by-course evaluation of your academic records. Please use recognized credential evaluation services World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), to ensure your coursework aligns with the U.S. education system.

    Official copies of all transcripts confirming graduation from high school, a GED test transcript, or the equivalent international education level, must be one file prior to the Add/Drop Deadline of the student’s initial start term, and is required for matriculation.

    Test Blind for Domestic Applicants

    Starting with applications for semesters in 2020, CCS will not require a standardized test (ACT or SAT) score. If a Test Score is submitted it will not be used to influence admission or scholarship. While CCS is committed to admitting students who have proven potential to succeed in our programs, our historical data indicates that Test Scores do not consistently identify that potential.

    English Language Test Score for International Applicants

    International applicants whose primary and/or native language is not English must submit one of the following English language test scores: TOEFL, IELTS, DuolingoEnglish Test, SAT or ACT. The test requirement may be waived if the primary language of instruction at their secondary school or college is English.

    Letters of Recommendation and Artists Statements are not required.

    Conditional Admission

    The College may occasionally admit students as Conditionally Admitted if their potential to succeed is not directly reflected in their High School Cum GPA. Conditions of admission and enrollment are as follows:

    • You will be limited to taking 13 credits during the first semester of your first year of study while you acclimate to the rigors of college. While this is still considered full-time enrollment, your limitation on credit load during this first semester may mean that you will need to attend classes during a summer semester or take an additional semester in order to satisfy your degree requirements.
    • You will successfully complete the CCS First Year Experience (SLP 007) course in your first semester.
    • You must receive a 2.0 or better GPA during your first semester at CCS or you will be placed on academic warning.
    • You are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with the staff of the Center for Tutoring and Writing to identify and receive any academic support you need.

    These guardrails support student success by engaging students with the staff, offices and processes that will foster their success.

    Reapplication Guidelines

    If an applicant for admission to the College has been admitted to the same academic level four times in the past, but has never completed attendance through the first semester Add/Drop period of any admitted Start Term, the fifth and following applications for admission will be denied.

    Students with Disabilities and Requesting Accommodations

    CCS Nondiscrimination Policy